Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Multi-Tasking Queen

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Intel.

**Giveaway Closed! Thank you for entering!!**

Life gets so busy sometimes and I've had to learn the art of multi-tasking in order to get all my check lists, checked off. In between my day job of being an HR Director, to my part time job of being a wedding photographer and my wonderful hobby of being a blogger I am pretty much always on the computer and multi-tasking on the computer is just as important as any other tasks. In between spreadsheets, editing photos and writing posts, I always have multiple windows open doing multiple things that are sometimes related but most often not.

When BlogHer offered to send me a brand new laptop powered by the the Intel® Core™ i5 processor, I figured they must've been reading my mind when I was thinking that I needed a computer that could keep up with everything that I do on it. The new processor has Intel® Turbo Boost Technology allowing you to “get more done in less time” which, really has been my motto for the past year or so. Anything that allows me to do more in an efficient manner is a friend of mine! They also provided me with an Intel® Wireless Display adaptor that allows me to use my HDTV as a monitor. How cool is that! I love being able to see my computer on a giant screen and it allows me to keep more windows open and see them all at once.

I've just started using the laptop, so I'll be posting an update later on to let you know how it's working out for me!

I really wish I could share my new laptop with all of you but I can offer you something close... a $250 gift card to Best Buy! All you need to do is to leave me a comment and tell me what you do help you multitask better or faster! And for an extra entry, tweet or blog about this giveaway!

Giveaway rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) Follow this link and provide your email address and your response to the sweepstakes prompt

Sweepstakes ends at 5 PM PST on December 22, 2010

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw from comments and will be notified by e-mail.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

I'll often have many other tabs open while I'm finishing up homework to submit electronically. I'm also a list maker, and once I freely write about what I want to buy or do that day, I group the items into categories if they can be done together.

When I'm on a tight schedule, I would write out a list of things that need to get done on that day. Then I write down the time that I would start and finish each task. I also use the alarm on my phone to keep track of the time. Classic methods, but they work!

I have an amazing app on my phone that I can make lists on all day long and check off as things get done. I also make sure everything gets synced on my calender. At work I have two monitors set up so I can have lots of things open at once and visible! It helps so much.

I like to use the Stickies program on my computer--basically, post-it notes for your computer screen--to list all my to-dos. Sometimes, they're color-coded based on urgency, and the transparency function is great, too! You can hide them and continue on with your normal screen use. Love them!

Like you said, anything that makes multitasking easier is a friend of mine!! I'd love to win this! I write everything down in a mini notebook and put everything in order of priority or deadline - this really helps!

I have so many windows open on my computer that it's ridiculous. Couple that with also using my iPhone for dictating emails/notes while I'm out and about, recording voice memos for interviews and cooking demos, etc. - I've learned to embrace technology.

I'm a big fan of utilizing my calendar and tasks in Outlook. Without them, I wouldn't know where to be or what needs to get done next! I also multi-task while on conference calls - catch up on personal email and my daily blog fix :-)

i love the use of spaces (on a mac) - it keeps everything sorted in different windows, so i can switch back and forth. without feeling clutter. and i keep a notebook directly in front of me to jot down notes for whatever projects i'm working on.

I have a two planners. One for monthly and one for daily. I also have a notebook for things to-do through out the day as well as post-it notes that I have on my computer to remind me. I like to kill two birds with one stone, that way it frees up the rest of my day.

My tip isn't to make things faster, but it makes things more sane. I try to pair a task that I do for my benefit with a task I do for general benefit. For example, I'm preparing for a class I teach tomorrow but am taking breaks to clean my room.

I centralize everything to Google- email, calendar, chats, keeping up on news, writing notes and reminders to myself, sharing documents, storing online logins and passwords (this is super convenient for printing shipping labels, paying off credit cards, etc), even making a lot of phone calls. So all I need is my laptop and one browser! I'm totally ok with Google taking over the world!

I have to make a list regardless if it is for grocery shopping or an item I have been looking for in the fashion world to help me remember stuff. I also use a fashion planner to plan outfits as they come to me!

Post-its!! I have them everywhere in order to multi-task AND keep organized at work. I used to buy really cute post-its (hello kitty, ice cream cone shaped, differed colored ones, etc) but I use an amazing amount that it was burning a hole through my wallet.

I have a macbook pro so I use bento keep organized with all my files. Also, I have multi spreadsheets for database. Also i love how my mac has spaces so i can have multi windows open in different shapes. Plus I have a hello kitty notepad I jot everything down on

I use several different methods: my day planner that always goes to school w/ me and helps me keep track of daily things; my appointment reminder on my blackberry; and a task manager on my macbook that lets me check off tasks as I go. Oh and sometimes you'll find reminders posted on my refrigerator lol.

I have multiple email addresses and don't always have every account up on my primary computer screen - so I keep my iPhone by my desk (which has every account loaded) in order to check my other accounts when I hear an alert.

I use a concept called the Power 96. I make a to-do list for the following day. I come in the next morning & for the first 96 minutes of the day, I power through my to-do list. I don't answer any e-mails or voicemails until I've completed the Power 96. Depending on my workload, I may do this two or three times a day to get everything handled. It helps me get everything I need done quickly so that I can keep up with the people I work with in all different timezones.

I use my phone (not a fancy phone) for alarms and appts. I use Outlook calendar at work that I rely HEAVILY on. I make a ton of lists. I'm the queen of lists. I have the kind of paper it makes a carbon copy. I text myself, email myself. When I'm on the web I have a ton of windows open it drives my guy nuts. I can't just do one thing I have to be "efficient" in my use of time. I guess only girls understand this :)

I just started a blog (major work in progress) www.whatsanitasdeal.com I would love to get a comment from you!

One thing I do to help multi-task is always have a to-do list notebook with me. That way whenever something pops up, I can write it down and make sure it doesn't fall through the cracks, but I don't have to stop everything and do it NOW. It really helps me stay on track!

I recently started using a second monitor, so I can type on my laptop and have an extended screen. I can do my work on the large, pretty external monitor, and check email, blogs, and other fun sites on the other side of the screen.

A to-do list and small rewards - whatever I need after accomplishing a task (run, jump rope, jamming out with itunes, chocolate!) that acts as a break and gets me just unfocused enough to re-focus for the next task!

I am a teacher (and a mom) so multitasking is necessary if I want to survive my day. I am old-fashioned and write lists and the physical act of checking things off my list makes me feel accomplished and gives me momentum to conquer the next task. Oh and I also write super important things that I need to get done or need to remember on the palm of my hand (my "palm pilot") and it always gets done...unless it washes off! :)

I keep my schedule on my computer along with all my contacts, emails, banking, etc. I seriously have to keep a to-do list to keep up with what I am supposed to do each day. With out my list everything will fall apart!

in order to keep my hectic life organized, I have started the practice of writing down all events, appointment, and birthdays in a planner. Those items are then added into the calendar on my phone, with an alert. iI get alerted everyday up until the day of the event. I have found this to be very effective and I've made it to more events, early for appointments, and haven't missed a birthday yet using this method.

I'm the WORST at multi-tasking. Right now I'm checking blogs and trying to cook (which is not happening). Fail. But my iPad has def been so easy to get stuff done quickly. I love that I can pull up websites so quickly (instead of powering on my laptop and waiting forever) and I can bring it anywhere.

I'm beginning to think women are natural multitaskers...either that, or we're awesome at adapting to becoming one due to the unique challenges of being a woman in modern society :) I am a chronic list-maker, and I'm always trying to think of how to dovetail multiple tasks, even if it's something as simple as folding laundry while watching Food Network. Thanks for doing this!

It depends but usually I use the Color Sticky Notes app on my phone that alerts me every time I have tasks that need to be completed. I also write everything down and stick it in my wallet so I'm sure to see it:)

I write everything, (appointments, birthdays, sports events, ect.) on my calendar. If it's not on the calendar, it usually doesn't get done. I always make sure I am checking the calendar a week ahead so I am prepared for what is coming up.

I try to complete phone calls and work on the computer at the same time. I'll answer emails, pay bills, etc., while talking on the phone. Thanks so much for this wonderful giveaway.rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

I like keeping track of things the old-fashioned way: writing things down in my organizer/planner. Everything from grocery lists to my to-do lists to things I want to buy! I love crossing things off lists. I do heavily rely on my Outlook calendar syncing with my iPhone so I stay on top of my daily activities!

I am a multitasking junkie at work. I usually am handling Executive requests, customer requests, back office requests, and co workers requests at the same time. I make list and make calls which I e-mail or instant message for responses. I then check off as I go. I used to be able to juggle it all in my head but, not anymore.

I tend to do as much prep work as I can in advance, including meals and bight-before packing, as well as not waiting till the last minute to take care of deadline items. I also use an online prompt calendar for dated reminders.

Lists, lists and more lists. Lists for diner, list for shopping, list for daily chores, weekly chores, monthly chores. I have 4 different lists for thankgiving, menu with needed ingredents, what others are bringing, shopping, and cooking time table. I know obsessive but it works for me

The thing that helps me multi task is to write or type notes. If I am going to be calling while doing something on the computer, I need to write down a brief description of why I am calling the person, or I will forget.

Multi task- an important and helpful quality to have!I multi-task by keeping a planner, to jot all my tasks down that I have to accomplish throughout the week. Keeping a planner, helps to be organize and doesn't let me forget important work I have to complete.Planning & Organization is very important and beneficial!Being productive, gets a lot of work done smoothly! :)

I can't wait to hear your review....a new faster computer can change my life because my laptop is a dinosaur and I feel like I spend way too much just waiting for pages to load. I can't multi-task at all. I can't have more than one application or page open at one time!! I can be a lot more productive with the Intel® Core™ i5 processor.

Google calendar is awesome for me especially with the task tab. It allows me to check off whatever tasks I've completed. I'm also a big fan of making to-do lists. I also keep a daily planner with me at all times. This is a great giveaway!

I also still do to much with paper and pen and dry erase and although I blog from a nice computer at home, I have no laptop to take with me when I am working or between clients. It creates a lot of papers and a lot of wasted time. I would LOVE to have this to be more productive with time alone.

You described exactly what I need! It's common for me to have multiple windows--with multiple tabs in each window--open at the same time (then, often the computer crashes!)...anyway, maybe this doesn't necessarily help me multi-task, but I do write down everything nowadays. It's important to list my kids' extra-curricular activities so everyone knows who needs to be where and when. I also write down contest entries, so I won't get confused about whose blogs I entered at.Thanks for the giveaway.aleq13@gmail.com

I make a list (sooometimes it a mental list) and prioritize my to-do list. I also found an amazing iPhone/Ipod Touch app called awesome notes that has helped me a whole bunch to organize my scatterbrained-ness hehe